EP1939547B1 - Refrigerating air conditioner - Google Patents
Refrigerating air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1939547B1 EP1939547B1 EP06756532.5A EP06756532A EP1939547B1 EP 1939547 B1 EP1939547 B1 EP 1939547B1 EP 06756532 A EP06756532 A EP 06756532A EP 1939547 B1 EP1939547 B1 EP 1939547B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hermetic vessel
- sub
- compression mechanism
- refrigerant
- pressure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
- F25B31/002—Lubrication
- F25B31/004—Lubrication oil recirculating arrangements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01C1/00—Rotary-piston machines or engines
- F01C1/02—Rotary-piston machines or engines of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents
- F01C1/0207—Rotary-piston machines or engines of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents both members having co-operating elements in spiral form
- F01C1/0215—Rotary-piston machines or engines of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents both members having co-operating elements in spiral form where only one member is moving
- F01C1/0223—Rotary-piston machines or engines of arcuate-engagement type, i.e. with circular translatory movement of co-operating members, each member having the same number of teeth or tooth-equivalents both members having co-operating elements in spiral form where only one member is moving with symmetrical double wraps
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01C11/00—Combinations of two or more machines or engines, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type
- F01C11/002—Combinations of two or more machines or engines, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type of similar working principle
- F01C11/004—Combinations of two or more machines or engines, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type of similar working principle and of complementary function, e.g. internal combustion engine with supercharger
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01C21/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in groups F01C1/00 - F01C20/00
- F01C21/04—Lubrication
- F01C21/045—Control systems for the circulation of the lubricant
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C23/00—Combinations of two or more pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type, specially adapted for elastic fluids; Pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids; Multi-stage pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04C23/008—Hermetic pumps
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
- F25B1/10—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with multi-stage compression
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
- F25B9/06—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point using expanders
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
- F25B1/04—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with compressor of rotary type
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2309/00—Gas cycle refrigeration machines
- F25B2309/06—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
- F25B2309/061—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide with cycle highest pressure above the supercritical pressure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/14—Power generation using energy from the expansion of the refrigerant
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25B2500/01—Geometry problems, e.g. for reducing size
Definitions
- This invention relates to a refrigerating air conditioner for use in the air conditioners or the refrigerating machines and including two or more hermetic vessels for containing a compression mechanism therein, and more particularly to an oil equalizing mechanism between the hermetic vessels.
- Some of the refrigerating air conditioners for use in air conditioners or refrigerating machines comprise, in order to improve the COP (Coefficient of Performance), a main compressor for compressing a refrigerant and an expander including an expansion mechanism for expanding the refrigerant and a sub-compression mechanism for converting the expansion energy in the expansion mechanism into a mechanical energy.
- COP Coefficient of Performance
- the oil levels in the main compressor and the expander must be regulated so that shortage of the lubricating oil does not occur.
- the pressure within the hermetic vessel of the main compressor is arranged to be maintained at the suction pressure
- the suction pipe to the main compression mechanism is disposed within the hermetic vessel
- its opening portion is positioned above the oil level of the lubricating oil maintained in the hermetic vessel
- an oil recovery hole is provided below the opening portion and at the upper limit position of the adequate oil level within the hermetic vessel of the main compressor (see Patent Document 1, for example).
- a refrigerating air conditioner having a first compressor and a second compressor and an equalizing oil pipe communicating the bottom portion of the first compressor with the bottom portion of the second compressor is provided (see Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, for example).
- the suction pipe to the main compressor mechanism must be provided within the hermetic vessel for the main compressor, and the position of this suction pipe is also limited.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above-discussed problems and has as its object the provision of a refrigerating air conditioner that has no limitation on the structure of the main compressor mechanism, and that the lubricating oil levels within the first hermetic vessel and the second hermetic vessel can be regulated without the need for adjusting the installation levels of the first hermetic vessel containing the main compressor mechanism and the second hermetic vessel containing the sub-compressor mechanism.
- the present invention resides in a refrigeration air conditioner comprising a main compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant; a gas cooler or a heat radiator for cooling the compressed refrigerant; an expansion mechanism for expanding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas cooler to recover power; a sub-compression mechanism disposed on discharge side or suction side of the main compression mechanism for compressing the refrigerant by the power recovered by the expansion mechanism; an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion mechanism; a first hermetic vessel having contained therein the main compression mechanism and a lubricant oil and having an atmosphere at a suction pressure; a second hermetic vessel having contained therein the expansion mechanism, the sub-compression mechanism and the lubricant oil; a first equalizer pipe connecting a bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel and a bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel; a second equalizer pipe connecting a side of the second hermetic vessel at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level
- the refrigeration air conditioner of the present invention comprises a main compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant; a sub-compression mechanism disposed on discharge side or suction side of the main compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed refrigerant; an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas cooler; an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion valve; a first hermetic vessel having contained therein the main compression mechanism and a lubricant oil and having an atmosphere at a suction pressure; a second hermetic vessel having contained therein the sub-compression mechanism and the lubricant oil; a first equalizer pipe connecting a bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel and a bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel; a second equalizer pipe connecting a side of the second hermetic vessel at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level and a suction side of the main compression mechanism; wherein a space within the second hermetic vessel is
- a refrigerating air conditioner that has no limitation on the structure of the main compressor mechanism, and that the lubricating oil levels within the first hermetic vessel and the second hermetic vessel can be regulated without the need for adjusting the installation levels of the first hermetic vessel containing the main compressor mechanism and the second hermetic vessel containing the sub-compressor mechanism.
- Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- the arrows in the figure show the direction of flow of the refrigerant.
- the same reference numerals designate the identical or corresponding components and this applies to the entire specification.
- the embodiments disclosed in this specification are only illustrative and they are not limited thereto. It is assumed in the Embodiment 1 of this invention that a refrigerant which reaches the super critical sate at the high pressure side, such as carbon dioxide, is used.
- an expander 1 comprises an expansion mechanism 2 for expanding the refrigerant and recovering the power and a sub-compression mechanism 3 driven by a power recovered by the expansion mechanism 2 and compressing the refrigerant, the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compressor mechanism 3 being contained as an integral structure within the second hermetic vessel 4 in which a lubricating oil 9 for lubricating the sliding parts is maintained in the bottom portion.
- the main compressor 5 comprises a main compressor mechanism 7 driven by an electric motor mechanism 6 and compressing the refrigerant, and the electric motor mechanism 6 and the main-compressor mechanism 7 are housed as an integral structure within the first hermetic vessel 8 in which the lubricating oil 9 for lubricating the sliding parts is maintained in the bottom portion.
- the height at which the second hermetic vessel 4 is installed is higher than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 4.
- the installation height of the hermetic vessels 4, 8 refers to a height position at which the bottom plates of the hermetic vessels 4, 8 come into contact with the lubricant oil 9.
- the sub-compressor mechanism 3 is disposed on the discharge side of the main-compressor mechanism 7, and the discharge side of the main compressor mechanism 7 and the suction side of the sub-compressor mechanism 3 are connected to each other by means of a main compressor discharge pipe 18 and a sub-compressor suction pipe 19. Also, the discharge side of the sub-compressor mechanism 3 and inlet side of a gas cooler or a heat radiator 11 cooling the refrigerator are connected by a sub-compressor discharge pipe 20. Further, the outlet side of the gas cooler 11 and the suction side of the expansion mechanism 2 are connected to each other by means of a gas cooler outlet pipe 25 and an expander suction pipe 15, and a second expansion valve 14 is provided in the middle of the expander suction pipe 5.
- the outlet side of the gas cooler 11 and the inlet side of the evaporator 12 are connected to each other via a bypass pipe 26 and an evaporator flow pipe 27, and a first expansion valve 13 is inserted in the bypass pipe 26.
- the outlet side of the expansion mechanism 2 and the inlet side of the evaporator 12 are connected to each other via an expander discharge pipe 16 and the evaporator flow pipe 27.
- the expander suction pipe 15 and the bypass pipe 26 are connected to the gas cooler flow pipe 25 at a branch point 28, and the bypass pipe 26 and the expander discharge pipe 16 are connected to the evaporator flow pipe 27 at the junction point 29.
- the outlet side of the evaporator 12 and the suction side of the main compressor mechanism 7 are connected to each other via the main compressor suction pipe 17 and the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the inner space of the second hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub compressor mechanism 3, so that the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within the expansion mechanism 2 or the pressure within the main compressor mechanism 3. Also, the pressure within the first hermetic vessel 8 is at the suction pressure because the main compressor suction pipe 17 is connected to the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4 and the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 are connected to each other by a first equalizer 21, and the first equalizer pipe 21 is provided with a check valve 23 for preventing the flowing out of the lubricating oil 9 from the second hermetic vessel 4 into the first hermetic vessel 8.
- An oil level A shown by a dash line In Fig. 1 is a minimum and requisite for lubricating the bearings and the sliding portions. Hereinafter this level A or height will be referred to as "minimum requisite oil level".
- the second hermetic vessel 4 is connected at the position higher than the position of the minimum requisite oil level A to the main compressor suction pipe 17 which is the suction side of the main compressor mechanism 7 by means of the second hermetic tube 22.
- the refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure and in the gaseous state is suctioned from the main compressor suction pipe 17 into the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the refrigerant suctioned from the first hermetic vessel 8 to the main compressor mechanism 7 is compressed to an intermediate pressure and discharged from the main compressor discharge pipe 18.
- the refrigerant at the intermediate pressure introduced into the sub compressor suction pipe 19 from the main compressor discharge pipe 18 is further compressed by the sub compressor mechanism 3 to high temperature and high pressure and discharged into the sub compressor discharge pipe 20.
- the refrigerant discharged into the sub compressor discharge pipe 20 dissipates its heat at the gas cooler 11 and flows into the gas cooler flow pipe 25.
- the refrigerant flown out into the gas cooler flow pipe 25 is branched at the branch point 28 into one portion that flows into the expander suction pipe 15 and the other portion that flows into the bypass pipe 26.
- the refrigerant introduced into the expander suction pipe 15 is first depressurized at the second expansion valve 14 so that the operation is achieved at the adequate compression ratio at the expansion mechanism 2, and then introduced into the expansion mechanism 2 via the expander suction pipe 15.
- the refrigerant expanded at the expansion mechanism 2 is now in the vapor-liquid two phase state at low temperature and low pressure and discharged into the expander discharge pipe 16.
- the refrigerant that flows into the bypass pipe 26 is expanded and depressurized by the first expansion valve 13 in order to regulate the flow rate when the operating conditions of the refrigerating air conditioner is changed.
- the refrigerant expanded and depressurize at the first expansion valve 13 is joined at the junction point 29 with the refrigerant supplied from the expander discharge pipe 16 and flows into the evaporator 12 via the evaporator flow pipe 27.
- the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 12 is heated and evaporated and then flows back into the first hermetic vessel 8 via the main compressor suction pipe 17.
- the pressure at the suction side of the main compressor mechanism 7 and the pressure at the discharge side of the expansion mechanism 2 are referred to as a low pressure
- the pressure at the suction side of the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure at the discharge side of the sub compressor mechanism 3 are referred to as a high pressure
- the pressure at the discharge side of the main compressor mechanism 7 which is at the suction side of the sub compressor mechanism 3 is referred to as an intermediate pressure.
- the lubricating oil 9 flows from the first hermetic vessel 8 to the second hermetic vessel 4 through the first equalizer pipe 21 against the pressure difference ⁇ P 1 due to the height difference H between the oil level within the second hermetic vessel 4 and the first hermetic vessel 8, whereby the oil level within the second hermetic vessel 4 is elevated.
- the lubricating oil flows out through the second equalizer pipe 22 into the main compressor suction pipe 17.
- the lubricating oil 9 introduced into the main compressor suction pipe 17 is lead into the first hermetic vessel 8, increasing the oil amount within the first hermetic vessel 8, whereby the oil level within the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 are regulated.
- the check valve 23 prevents the lubricating oil 9 from flowing into the first hermetic vessel 8 from the side of the second hermetic vessel 4, but the oil level within the second hermetic vessel 4 is not lowered and is maintained.
- the oil levels within the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 are regulated by the above-discussed function.
- the refrigerating air conditioner comprises the first equalizing pipe 21 connecting the first hermetic vessel 8 and the second hermetic vessel 4 at their bottom portions and the second equalizing pipe 22 connecting the second hermetic vessel 4 at a position on the side above the requisite minimum oil level A to the suction side of the main compressor mechanism 7, the inside of the first hermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure and the inside space of the second hermetic vessel 4 being isolated from the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub expansion mechanism 3, and the pressure in the second hermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within the expansion mechanism 2 or the sub compressor mechanism 3.
- the oil level in the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 can be automatically regulated irrespective of the flow speed V of the gaseous refrigerant in the main compressor mechanism 2 and the sub compressor mechanism 3, or the amount of the height difference H between the oil level in the second hermetic vessel 4 and the first hermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of the main compressor 5 and the expander 1.
- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the structure of the scroll type expander according to the Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- the expansion mechanism 2 in the lower portion of the second hermetic vessel 4, the expansion mechanism 2 is disposed and in the upper portion of the expansion mechanism 2, the sub compressor mechanism 3 is disposed.
- the expansion mechanism 2 comprises a first fixed scroll 51 having a scroll wrap 51c formed on a base plate 51a and a first orbiting scroll 52 having a scroll wrap 52c formed on a base plate 52a, the scroll wrap 51c of the first fixed scroll 51 and the scroll wrap 52c of the first orbiting scroll 52 are being arranged to mesh with each other.
- the sub compressor mechanism 3 comprises a second fixed scroll 61 having a scroll wrap 61c formed on a base plate 61 a and a second orbiting scroll 62 having a scroll wrap 62c formed on a base plate 62a, the scroll wrap 61c of the second fixed scroll 61 and the scroll wrap 62c of the second orbiting scroll 62 are being arranged to mesh with each other.
- a shaft 78 is rotatably supported at both ends by bearing portions 51b and 61b each disposed at the center of the first fixed scroll 51 and the second fixed scroll 61.
- the first orbiting scroll 52 and the second orbiting scroll 62 are respectively passed through and supported at an eccentric bearing portions 52b and 62b formed in their centers by a crank portion 78a fitted on the shaft 79 so that they achieve orbiting motions.
- the requisite minimum oil level A is at the lower end of the shaft 78, which is the minimum oil level of the lubricating oil 9 necessary for lubricating the bearing portion 51b and 61b as well as the eccentric bearing portions 52b and 62b.
- the expander suction pipe 15 for sucking the refrigerant and the expander discharge pipe 16 for discharging the expanded refrigerant are provided on the side wall of the second hermetic vessel 4 and at the outer circumference of the expansion mechanism 2 .
- the sub compressor mechanism suction pipe 19 for sucking the refrigerant is provided on the upper wall of the second hermetic vessel 4 and above the sub compressor mechanism 3, and on the side wall of the second hermetic vessel 4 and at the outer circumference of the sub compressor mechanism 3, the sub compressor discharge pipe 20 for discharging the compressed refrigerant is provided.
- the first equalizer pipe 21 is connected for communicating the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8, and on the side wall of the second hermetic vessel 4 and at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A, the second equalizer pipe 22 for the connection to main compressor suction pipe 17.
- the spiral teeth 61c and 62c of the first fixed scroll 61 and the second orbiting scroll 62 has mounted, on their respective tips, tip seals 71 for sealing a sub-compression chamber 3a defined between the scroll wrap 61c of the second fixed scroll 61 and the scroll wrap 62c of the second orbiting scroll 62.
- an inner circumferential seal 72a is disposed on the surface of the second orbiting scroll 62 facing to the second fixed scroll 61 and at the outer circumference of the eccentric bearing portion 62b to function as a seal member for sealing between the second orbiting scroll 62 and the fixed scroll 61.
- an outer circumferential seal 73a is disposed on the surface of the second fixed scroll 61 facing to the second orbiting scroll 61 and at the outer circumference of the scroll wrap 61 c to function as a seal member for sealing between the second orbiting scroll 62 and the fixed scroll 61.
- an inner circumferential seal 72b is disposed on the surface of the first orbiting scroll 52 facing to the first orbiting scroll 52 and at the outer circumference of the eccentric bearing portion 52b to function as a seal member for sealing between the first orbiting scroll 52 and the first fixed scroll 51.
- an outer circumferential seal 73b is disposed on the surface of the first fixed scroll 51 facing to the first fixed scroll 51 and at the outer circumference of the scroll wrap 51 c to function as a seal member for sealing between the first orbiting scroll 52 and the first fixed scroll 51.
- the outer circumference portion of the base plate 51a of the first fixed scroll 51 and the outer circumference portion of the base plate 52a of the first fixed scroll 52 are arranged to contact to each other.
- the first orbiting scroll 52 and the second orbiting scroll 62 are joined together by a connecting element such as a pin and prevented from the rotation by an Oldham's ring 77 disposed in the sub-compressor mechanism 3. Also, in order to cancel out the centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the orbiting scrolls 52, 62, balance weights 79a, 79b are attached to both ends of the shaft 78.
- the first orbiting scroll 52 and the second orbiting scroll 62 may by made in one piece member with the base plates 52a, 62a arranged as a common member.
- the power is generated by the expansion of the high pressure refrigerant suctioned from the expander suction pipe 15 within the expansion chamber 2a defined by the scroll wrap 51c of the first fixed scroll 51 and the scroll wrap 52c of the first orbiting scroll 52.
- the refrigerant expanded and decompressed within the expansion chamber 2a is discharged from the expander discharge pipe 16 to the exterior of the second hermetic vessel 4.
- the power generated at the expansion mechanism 2 compresses and pressure-raises the refrigerant introduced from the sub-compressor suction pipe 19 within the sub-compression chamber 3a of the sub-compressor mechanism 3.
- the refrigerant compressed and pressure-raised within the sub-compression chamber 3a is discharged from the sub-compressor machine discharge pipe 20 to the exterior of the second hermetic vessel 4.
- the expansion mechanism 2 achieves the expansion step from the high pressure to the low pressure
- the sub-compression mechanism 3 achieves the compression step from the intermediate pressure to the high pressure. Therefore, in the orbiting scrolls 52 and 62, a high pressure acts on both of the expansion chamber 2a at the center and the sub-compression chamber 3a at the center, a low pressure acts on the expansion chamber 2a, and an intermediate pressure acts on the outer circumferential 3a.
- the sub-compression chamber 3a and the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 are isolated from by an inner circumferential seal 72a and an outer circumferential seal 73a, and the expansion chamber 2a and the space defined in the second hermetic vessel 4.
- Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line C-C of the expansion mechanism of the expander, shown in Fig. 2 , according to the Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
- a thick portion 52d is provided, and the thick portion 52d has formed therein an eccentric bearing portion 52b extending therethrough for allowing a crank portion 78 to be inserted therein.
- an inner seal groove 52g Formed on the thick portion 52d of the first orbiting scroll 52 and in the outer circumference of the eccentric bearing portion 52b is an inner seal groove 52g, and an inner seal 72b is inserted within the inner seal groove 52g.
- an outer seal groove 51 g formed on the base plate 51a of the first fixed scroll 51 and in the outer circumference of the scroll wrap 51c is an outer seal groove 51 g, and an outer seal 73b is inserted therein.
- the base plate 51 a of the first fixed scroll 51 is provided with a suction port 51d for sucking the refrigerant and a discharge port 51e for discharging the refrigerant.
- the suction port 51d has an elongated hole-shape for maintaining the opening area and is connected to the expander suction pipe 15.
- a notch portion 52e is provided in the thick portion 52d in order to decrease the area that closes the suction port 51d during the orbiting motion.
- the discharge port 51e is disposed at the position in which it does not interfere with the outer end portion of the scroll wrap 52c of the first orbiting scroll 52 and connected to the expander discharge pipe 16.
- Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating the sub-compressor mechanism of the expander according to the Embodiment 1 of the present invention, Fig. 4(a) being a plan view of the second scroll and Fig. 4(b) being a plan view of the second orbiting scroll.
- the scroll wraps 61 c, 62c of the sub-compressor mechanism 3 is wrapped in the same scroll direction as the expansion mechanism 2, so that, when the second orbiting scroll 62 and the first orbiting scroll 52 are combined back to back and make an orbiting motion together, they achieve compression on one side and expansion on the other side.
- a thick portion 62d is provided at the inner end portion of the scroll wrap 62c of the second orbiting scroll 62 and, similarly to the first orbiting scroll 52 of the expansion mechanism 2, an eccentric bearing portion 62b into which a crank portion 78a is inserted is formed to extend therethrough.
- the base plate 61a of the second fixed scroll 61 is provided with a suction port 61d for sucking the refrigerant and a discharge port 61e for discharging the refrigerant.
- the discharge port 61e has an elongated hole shape for maintaining the opening area and is connected to the sub-compressor suction pipe 20.
- a notch portion 62e is provided in the thick portion 62d in order to decrease the area that closes the discharge port 61e during the orbiting motion.
- the suction port 61d is disposed at the position in which it does not interfere with the outer end portion of the scroll wrap 62c of the second orbiting scroll 62 and connected to the sub-compressor suction pipe 19.
- tip seal grooves 61f, 62f are formed for receiving therein tip seals 71.
- an inner circumference groove 62g for inserting an inner seal 72a is formed in the thick portion 62d of the second orbiting scroll 62 and in the outer circumference of the eccentric bearing portion 62b.
- an outer seal groove 61 g for inserting the outer seal 73a is formed on the base plate 61 a of the second fixed scroll 61 and in the outer circumference of the scroll wrap 61c.
- Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view for explaining the contact seal function of the tip seal.
- the tip seal 71 is pressed from the left and the above as shown by the arrows, which are high pressure side, according to the pressure difference between the sub-compressor chamber 3a at both sides of the partition. Therefore, the tip seal 71 is urged within the tip seal groove 62 for the tip seal 71 against the right hand wall and the above base plate 61 a to provide the contact seal between the second orbiting scroll 62 and the fixed scroll 61.
- the contact seal functions of the inner seal 72a and 72b and the outer seal 73a and 73b are similar to contact seal function of the tip seal 71.
- the inner seals 72a, 72b are disposed on the inner circumference portion of the first orbiting scroll 52 and the inner circumference portion of the second orbiting scroll 62, and the outer seals 73a, 73b are disposed on the outer circumference portion of the first fixed scroll 51 and the outer circumference portion of the second fixed scroll 61. Therefore, the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compressor mechanism 3, so that the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within the sub-compressor mechanism 3, whereby the oil level can be stably regulated
- the inner seals 72a, 72b which are seal members are disposed on the inner circumference portion of the first orbiting scroll 52 and the inner circumference portion of the second orbiting scroll 62, but the inner seals 72a, 72b which are seal members may be disposed on the inner circumference portion of the first fixed scroll 51 and the inner circumference portion of the second fixed scroll 52.
- the outer seals 73a, 73b which are seal members are disposed on the outer circumference portion of the first fixed scroll 51 and the outer circumference portion of the second fixed scroll 61, but the outer seals 73a, 73b which are seal members may be disposed on the outer circumference portion of the first orbiting scroll 52 and the outer circumference portion of the second orbiting scroll 62.
- the scroll type expander is described as the expander 1 used in the refrigerating air conditioner, but any type of expander such as multi-vane type or rotary type machine may equally be used as long as the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within the sub-compressor mechanism 3.
- the centrifugal pump 76 is described as the pump for feeding the lubricating oil 9 into the bearing and the sliding portion, but any type of pump such as a volume-type pump including the troquoid pump may equally be used.
- a volume-type pump is used, the level of the suction port of the pump is the requisite minimum oil level.
- Embodiment 1 the description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8.
- Embodiment 2 the description will be made as to a refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8.
- Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
- the refrigerating air conditioner of Embodiment 2 of the present invention is different from the refrigerating air conditioner of the Embodiment 1 in that, as shown in Fig. 6 , the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, and an electromagnetic valve 24 instead of the check valve 23 is disposed in the first equalizer pipe 21.
- the structure is the same as that of the refrigerating air conditioner of Embodiment 1.
- the pressure difference ⁇ P 2 given by equation (2) generates a force that lowers the oil level within the first hermetic vessel 8, so that the lubricating oil 9 flows out through the second equalizer pipe 23 into the main compressor suction pipe 17 irrespective of the flow speed V of the gas refrigerant in the main compressor suction pipe 17.
- the lubricating oil 9 flows into the main compressor suction pipe 17 is introduced into the first hermetic vessel 8 to increase the oil amount within the first hermetic vessel 8, so that the oil level in each of the hermetic vessels 4 and 8 is regulated. Therefore, the check valve 23 is not necessary in the first equalizer pipe 21.
- the arrangement is such that the electromagnetic valve 24 disposed in the first equalizer pipe 21 is closed when the refrigerating air conditioner is not operated.
- the electromagnetic valve 24 is open when the refrigerating air conditioner is operated.
- the refrigerating air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention comprises the first equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4, and the second equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the second hermetic vessel 4 at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7, the inside of the first hermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 being isolated from the sub-compression mechanism 3, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 being independent from the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism 3.
- the oil level in the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 can be automatically regulated irrespective of the flow speed V of the gaseous refrigerant in the main compressor mechanism suction pipe 17, or the amount of the level difference H between the oil level in the second hermetic vessel 4 and the oil level in the first hermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of the main compressor 5 and the expander 1.
- Embodiment 2 of the present invention the description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, but the same applies to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the electromagnetic valve 24 is not necessary.
- the refrigeration air conditioner of the present invention comprises the first equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4, and the second equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the second hermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7, and the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 is independent from the pressure within the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism 3.
- the oil level in the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 can be automatically regulated irrespective of the installation level of each of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the second hermetic vessel 4. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of the main compressor 5 and the expander 1.
- Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 the refrigerant air conditioner having the sub-compression mechanism 3 disposed on the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7 is described.
- Embodiment 3 a refrigerating air conditioner in which the sub-compression mechanism 3 is disposed on the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7.
- Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
- the sub-compression mechanism 3 is disposed on the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7, and the discharge side of the sub-compression mechanism 3 and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7 are connected to each other via the sub-compression discharge pipe 20, the main compressor suction pipe 17 and the first hermetic vessel 8. Also, the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7 and the inlet side of the gas cooler 11 are connected to each other via the main compressor discharge pipe 18. On the other hand, the outlet side of the evaporator 12 and the suction side of the sub-compression mechanism 3 are connected via the sub-compressor suction pipe 19. As seen from Fig. 7 , the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8. In other respects, the arrangement is the same as that of the refrigerating air conditioner of Embodiment 2.
- the refrigerant in the gas state pressurized to the intermediate pressure in the sub-compression mechanism flows from the main compressor suction pipe 17 into the first hermetic vessel 8, and it is suctioned by the main compression mechanism 7 when the first hermetic vessel 8 reaches to the intermediate pressure atmosphere.
- the refrigerant in the gas state that is further compressed in the main compression mechanism 7 into the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant, is discharged into the main compressor discharge pipe 18.
- the refrigerant in the gas state discharged into the main compression discharge pipe 18 flows out to the gas cooler flow pipe 25 after it dissipates heat in the gas cooler 11.
- One portion of the refrigerant flowed into the gas cooler flow pipe 25 is lead to the expander suction pipe 15 at the junction 28, the remaining portion being lead to the bypass pipe 26.
- the refrigerant lead into the expander suction pipe 15 is decompressed by the second expansion valve 14 so that it is worked in the expansion mechanism 2 at a proper compression ratio and then lead from the expander suction pipe 15 into the expansion mechanism 2, where it is expanded.
- the refrigerant expanded in the expansion mechanism 2 becomes into the low temperature and low pressure liquid-gas phase state and discharged into the expander discharge pipe 16.
- the refrigerant lead into the bypass pipe 26 is expanded and decompressed by the first expansion valve 13 so the flow rate may be regulated when the operating conditions of the refrigerating air conditioner are changed.
- the refrigerant expanded and decompressed at the first expansion valve 13 joins with the refrigerant discharged into the expander discharge pipe 16 at the junction point 29 and introduced into the evaporator 12 via the evaporator inlet pipe 27.
- the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 12 is suctioned into the sub-compression mechanism 3 via the sub-compressor suction pipe 19 after it is heated and evaporated.
- the refrigerant suctioned into the sub-compression mechanism 3 is compressed to the intermediate pressure and discharged into the sub-compressor discharge pipe 20.
- the refrigerant discharged into the sub-compressor discharge pipe 20 flows through the main compressor suction pipe 17, flows into the first hermetic vessel 8 and again suctioned into the main compression mechanism 7.
- the pressure on the suction side of the sub-compression mechanism 3 and the pressure on the discharge side of the expansion mechanism 2 are referred to as low pressures
- the pressure on the suction side of the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure on the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7 are referred to as high pressures
- the pressure on the discharge side of the sub-compression mechanism 3 which is the pressure on the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7 are referred to as intermediate pressures.
- the pressure P a in the first hermetic vessel 8 is an intermediate pressure and, since the pressure P b in the second hermetic vessel 4 is independent of the pressure in the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure in the sub-compression mechanism 3, the pressure difference ⁇ P2 2 is given by the equation (2) in the similar manner as to embodiments 1 and 2.
- the lubricating oil 9 flows through the second equalizer pipe 22 to flows out from the second hermetic vessel 4 into the main compressor suction pipe 17.
- the lubricating oil 9 flows into the main compressor suction pipe 17 is lead into the first hermetic vessel 8 to increase the oil amount within the first hermetic vessel 8, whereby the oil levels in the respective hermetic vessels are regulated.
- the refrigerating air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention comprises the first equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4, and the second equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the second hermetic vessel 4 at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7, the inside of the first hermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 being isolated from the sub-compression mechanism 3, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 being independent from the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism 3.
- the oil level in the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 can be automatically regulated irrespective of the flow speed V of the gaseous refrigerant in the main compressor mechanism suction pipe 17, or the amount of the level difference H between the oil level in the second hermetic vessel 4 and the oil level in the first hermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of the main compressor 5 and the expander 1.
- the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, but even when the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, the behavior of the lubricating oil is the same and similar advantageous results can be obtained.
- the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, the lubricating oil 9 operates in a manner similar to that of Embodiment 1 and similar advantageous results discussed in conjunction with the refrigerating air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 can be obtained.
- the refrigeration air conditioner of the present invention comprises the first equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4, and the second equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the second hermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7, the inside of the first hermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 is independent from the pressure within the expansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism 3.
- the oil level in the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 can be automatically regulated irrespective of the installation level of each of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the second hermetic vessel 4. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of the main compressor 5 and the expander 1.
- the refrigerant air conditioner having the expansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compression mechanism 3 disposed within hermetic vessel 4.
- Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
- a sub-compressor 81 comprises the sub-compression mechanism 3 driven by an electric motor mechanism 82 to compress the refrigerant, and the electric motor mechanism 82 and the sub-compression mechanism 3 are housed as one unit within the second hermetic vessel 4 in which the lubricating oil 9 is maintained at the bottom portion thereof.
- the main compressor 5 comprises the main compression mechanism 7 driven by the electric motor mechanism 6 to compress the refrigerant, and the electric motor mechanism 6 and the main compression mechanism 7 are housed as one unit within the first hermetic vessel 8 in which the lubricating oil 9 is maintained at the bottom portion thereof.
- the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the sub compression mechanism 3 is disposed on the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7, and the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7 and the suction side of the sub-compression mechanism 3 are connected to each other via the main compressor discharge pipe 18 and the sub-compressor suction pipe 19. Also, the discharge side of the sub-compressor 3 and the inlet side of the gas cooler 11 for cooling the refrigerant are connected to each other via the sub-compressor discharge pipe 20. Further, the outlet side of the gas cooler 11 and the inlet side of the evaporator 12 are connected to each other via the gas cooler flow pipe 25.
- the first expansion valve 13 for expanding the refrigerant is disposed in the gas cooler flow pipe 25. The outlet side of the evaporator 12 and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7 are connected to each other via the main compressor suction pipe 17 and the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 is not dependent upon the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism 3.
- the pressure within the first hermetic vessel 8 is the suction pressure because the main compressor suction pipe 17 is connected to the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4 and the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 are connected to each other via the first equalizer pipe 21, and the first equalizer pipe 21 is provided therein with the check valve 23 for preventing the flow of the lubricating oil 9 from the second hermetic vessel 4 to the first hermetic vessel 8. Also, the side of the second hermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the main compressor suction pipe 17 which is the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7 are connected to each other via the second equalizer pipe 22.
- the refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure and in the gaseous state is suctioned from the main compressor suction pipe 17 into the first hermetic vessel 8.
- the refrigerant suctioned from the first hermetic vessel 8 to the main compressor mechanism 7 is compressed to an intermediate pressure and discharged through the main compressor discharge pipe 18.
- the refrigerant at the intermediate pressure introduced into the sub compressor suction pipe 19 from the main compressor discharge pipe 18 is further compressed by the sub compressor mechanism 3 to be high temperature and high pressure and discharged into the sub compressor discharge pipe 20.
- the refrigerant discharged into the sub compressor discharge pipe 20 dissipates its heat at the gas cooler 11 and flows into the gas cooler flow pipe 25.
- the refrigerant flown out into the gas cooler flow pipe 25 is expanded at the first expansion valve 13 to become into the vapor-liquid two phase state at low temperature and low pressure state and flows into the evaporator 12.
- the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 12 is heated and evaporated and then flows back into the first hermetic vessel 8 via the main compressor suction pipe 17.
- the pressure at the suction side of the main compressor mechanism 7 is referred to as a low pressure
- the pressure at the discharge side of the sub compression mechanism 3 is referred to as a high pressure
- the pressure at the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7 which is at the suction side of the sub compression mechanism 3 is referred to as an intermediate pressure.
- the behavior of the lubricating oil 9 within the second hermetic vessel 4 and the first hermetic vessel 8 in the above-described operation is similar to that described in relation to the refrigerating air conditioner of Embodiment 1 and the oil level in each of the hermetic vessels 4 and 8 is automatically regulated.
- the refrigeration air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention comprises the first equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel 4, and the second equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the second hermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7, the inside of the first hermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the second hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel 4 is not dependent upon the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism 3.
- the oil level in the respective hermetic vessels 4 and 8 can be automatically regulated irrespective of the flow speed V of the gaseous refrigerant within the main compressor suction pipe 17, the level difference H between the oil level within the second hermetic vessel 4 and the oil level within the first hermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of the main compressor 5 and the expander 1.
- Embodiment 4 the description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, but even when the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, or even when the installation level of the second hermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the first hermetic vessel 8, advantageous results similar to those discussed above can be obtained.
- the check valve 23 is not necessary.
- the electromagnetic valve 24, which closes when the refrigerating air conditioner is not operated, may be provided in the first equalizer pipe 21, as in the case of Embodiment 2.
- the electromagnetic valve 24 prevents the lubricating oil 9 from moving from the first hermetic vessel 8 to the second hermetic vessel 4 through the first equalizer pipe 21.
- Embodiment 4 is described in terms of the sub-compression mechanism 3 disposed on the discharge side of the main compression mechanism 7, the sub-compression mechanism 3 may be disposed on the suction side of the main compression mechanism 7 and advantageous results as above discussed can be obtained. Also, the main compression mechanism 7 and the sub-compression mechanism 3 are directly connected in series in Embodiment 4, but similar advantageous results can also be obtained when the main compression mechanism 7 and the sub-compression mechanism 3 are connected in parallel.
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Description
- This invention relates to a refrigerating air conditioner for use in the air conditioners or the refrigerating machines and including two or more hermetic vessels for containing a compression mechanism therein, and more particularly to an oil equalizing mechanism between the hermetic vessels.
- Some of the refrigerating air conditioners for use in air conditioners or refrigerating machines comprise, in order to improve the COP (Coefficient of Performance), a main compressor for compressing a refrigerant and an expander including an expansion mechanism for expanding the refrigerant and a sub-compression mechanism for converting the expansion energy in the expansion mechanism into a mechanical energy. In such a refrigerating air conditioner, in order to prevent the decrease in the reliability of the main compressor and the expander due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the machine parts, the oil levels in the main compressor and the expander must be regulated so that shortage of the lubricating oil does not occur.
- Therefore, in the conventional refrigerating air conditioner, the pressure within the hermetic vessel of the main compressor is arranged to be maintained at the suction pressure, the suction pipe to the main compression mechanism is disposed within the hermetic vessel, its opening portion is positioned above the oil level of the lubricating oil maintained in the hermetic vessel, and an oil recovery hole is provided below the opening portion and at the upper limit position of the adequate oil level within the hermetic vessel of the main compressor (see
Patent Document 1, for example). - Also proposed is a refrigerating air conditioner having a first compressor and a second compressor and an equalizing oil pipe communicating the bottom portion of the first compressor with the bottom portion of the second compressor is provided (see
Patent Document 2 andPatent Document 3, for example). -
- Patent Document 1:
- Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2004-325 019 page 8,Figs. 8 and 9). - Patent Document 2:
- Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
7-103 594 Fig. 1 ). - Patent Document 3:
- Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
6-109337 page 3,Fig. 1 ). - However, in the refrigerating air conditioner disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2004-325 019 - Also, in the refrigerating air conditioner disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
7-103 594 6-109 337 - The present invention has been made to solve the above-discussed problems and has as its object the provision of a refrigerating air conditioner that has no limitation on the structure of the main compressor mechanism, and that the lubricating oil levels within the first hermetic vessel and the second hermetic vessel can be regulated without the need for adjusting the installation levels of the first hermetic vessel containing the main compressor mechanism and the second hermetic vessel containing the sub-compressor mechanism.
- With the above object in view, the present invention resides in a refrigeration air conditioner comprising a main compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant; a gas cooler or a heat radiator for cooling the compressed refrigerant; an expansion mechanism for expanding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas cooler to recover power; a sub-compression mechanism disposed on discharge side or suction side of the main compression mechanism for compressing the refrigerant by the power recovered by the expansion mechanism; an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion mechanism; a first hermetic vessel having contained therein the main compression mechanism and a lubricant oil and having an atmosphere at a suction pressure; a second hermetic vessel having contained therein the expansion mechanism, the sub-compression mechanism and the lubricant oil; a first equalizer pipe connecting a bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel and a bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel; a second equalizer pipe connecting a side of the second hermetic vessel at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level and a suction side of the main compression mechanism; wherein a space within the second hermetic vessel is isolated from the expansion mechanism and the sub-compression mechanism; and a pressure within the second hermetic vessel is independent from the pressure within the expansion mechanism and the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism.
- In a second embodiment the refrigeration air conditioner of the present invention comprises a main compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant; a sub-compression mechanism disposed on discharge side or suction side of the main compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed refrigerant; an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas cooler; an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion valve; a first hermetic vessel having contained therein the main compression mechanism and a lubricant oil and having an atmosphere at a suction pressure; a second hermetic vessel having contained therein the sub-compression mechanism and the lubricant oil; a first equalizer pipe connecting a bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel and a bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel; a second equalizer pipe connecting a side of the second hermetic vessel at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level and a suction side of the main compression mechanism; wherein a space within the second hermetic vessel is isolated from the sub-compression mechanism; and a pressure within the second hermetic vessel is independent from the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism.
- According to the present invention, a refrigerating air conditioner is provided that has no limitation on the structure of the main compressor mechanism, and that the lubricating oil levels within the first hermetic vessel and the second hermetic vessel can be regulated without the need for adjusting the installation levels of the first hermetic vessel containing the main compressor mechanism and the second hermetic vessel containing the sub-compressor mechanism.
-
- Fig. 1
- is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. - Fig. 2
- is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the structure of the expander according to the
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. - Fig. 3
- is a cross sectional view illustrating the expansion mechanism of the expander according to the
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. - Fig. 4
- is a plan view illustrating the sub-compression mechanism of the expander according to the
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. - Fig. 5
- is a cross sectional view for explaining the contact seal function of the generally conventional contact seal.
- Fig. 6
- is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the
Embodiment 2 of the present invention. - Fig. 7
- is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the
Embodiment 3 of the present invention. - Fig. 8
- is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to the
Embodiment 4 of the present invention. -
- 1
- expander
- 2
- expansion mechanism
- 3
- sub-compression mechanism
- 3a
- sub-compression chamber
- 4
- second hermetic vessel
- 5
- main compressor
- 6
- electric motor mechanism
- 7
- main compression mechanism
- 8
- first hermetic vessel
- 9
- lubricating oil
- 11
- gas cooler
- 12
- evaporator
- 13
- first expansion valve
- 14
- second expansion valve
- 15
- expander suction pipe
- 16
- expander discharge pipe
- 17
- main compressor suction pipe
- 18
- main compressor discharge pipe
- 19
- sub-compressor suction pipe
- 20
- sub-compressor discharge pipe
- 21
- first equalization pipe
- 22
- second equalization pipe
- 23
- check valve
- 24
- electromagnetic valve
- 25
- gas cooler flow out pipe
- 26
- bypass pipe
- 27
- evaporator flow in pipe
- 28
- shunt point
- 29
- joint point
- 51
- first fixed scroll
- 51a
- base plate
- 51b
- bearing portion
- 51c
- scroll wrap
- 51d
- suction port
- 51e
- discharge port
- 51g
- outer circumference seal groove
- 52
- first orbiting scroll
- 52a
- base plate
- 52b
- eccentric bearing portion
- 52d
- thick portion
- 52e
- notch portion
- 52g
- inner circumference seal groove
- 61
- second fixed scroll
- 61a
- base plate
- 61b
- bearing portion
- 61c
- scroll wrap
- 61d
- suction port
- 61e
- discharge port
- 61f
- tip seal groove
- 61g
- outer circumference seal groove
- 62
- second orbiting scroll
- 62a
- base plate
- 62b
- eccentric bearing portion
- 62c
- scroll wrap
- 62d
- thick portion
- 62e
- base plate
- 62f
- tip seal groove
- 62g
- inner circumference seal groove
- 71
- tip seal
- 72a
- inner circumference seal
- 72b
- inner circumference seal
- 73a
- outer circumference seal
- 73b
- outer circumference seal
- 76
- centrifugal pump
- 77
- Oldham ring
- 78
- shaft
- 78a
- crank portion
- 79a
- balance weight
- 79b
- balance weight
- 81
- sub-compressor
- 82
- electric motor mechanism.
-
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to theEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. The arrows in the figure show the direction of flow of the refrigerant. In the figure, the same reference numerals designate the identical or corresponding components and this applies to the entire specification. The embodiments disclosed in this specification are only illustrative and they are not limited thereto. It is assumed in theEmbodiment 1 of this invention that a refrigerant which reaches the super critical sate at the high pressure side, such as carbon dioxide, is used. - In
Fig. 1 , anexpander 1 comprises anexpansion mechanism 2 for expanding the refrigerant and recovering the power and asub-compression mechanism 3 driven by a power recovered by theexpansion mechanism 2 and compressing the refrigerant, theexpansion mechanism 2 and thesub-compressor mechanism 3 being contained as an integral structure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 in which alubricating oil 9 for lubricating the sliding parts is maintained in the bottom portion. Themain compressor 5 comprises amain compressor mechanism 7 driven by anelectric motor mechanism 6 and compressing the refrigerant, and theelectric motor mechanism 6 and the main-compressor mechanism 7 are housed as an integral structure within the firsthermetic vessel 8 in which thelubricating oil 9 for lubricating the sliding parts is maintained in the bottom portion. As illustrated inFig. 1 , the height at which the secondhermetic vessel 4 is installed is higher than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 4. Here, the installation height of thehermetic vessels hermetic vessels lubricant oil 9. - The
sub-compressor mechanism 3 is disposed on the discharge side of the main-compressor mechanism 7, and the discharge side of themain compressor mechanism 7 and the suction side of thesub-compressor mechanism 3 are connected to each other by means of a maincompressor discharge pipe 18 and asub-compressor suction pipe 19. Also, the discharge side of thesub-compressor mechanism 3 and inlet side of a gas cooler or aheat radiator 11 cooling the refrigerator are connected by asub-compressor discharge pipe 20. Further, the outlet side of thegas cooler 11 and the suction side of theexpansion mechanism 2 are connected to each other by means of a gascooler outlet pipe 25 and anexpander suction pipe 15, and asecond expansion valve 14 is provided in the middle of theexpander suction pipe 5. - On the other hand, the outlet side of the
gas cooler 11 and the inlet side of theevaporator 12 are connected to each other via abypass pipe 26 and anevaporator flow pipe 27, and afirst expansion valve 13 is inserted in thebypass pipe 26. Also, the outlet side of theexpansion mechanism 2 and the inlet side of theevaporator 12 are connected to each other via anexpander discharge pipe 16 and theevaporator flow pipe 27. Theexpander suction pipe 15 and thebypass pipe 26 are connected to the gascooler flow pipe 25 at abranch point 28, and thebypass pipe 26 and theexpander discharge pipe 16 are connected to theevaporator flow pipe 27 at thejunction point 29. The outlet side of theevaporator 12 and the suction side of themain compressor mechanism 7 are connected to each other via the maincompressor suction pipe 17 and the firsthermetic vessel 8. - The inner space of the second
hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from theexpansion mechanism 2 and thesub compressor mechanism 3, so that the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 or the pressure within themain compressor mechanism 3. Also, the pressure within the firsthermetic vessel 8 is at the suction pressure because the maincompressor suction pipe 17 is connected to the firsthermetic vessel 8. - The bottom portion of the second
hermetic vessel 4 and the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 are connected to each other by afirst equalizer 21, and thefirst equalizer pipe 21 is provided with acheck valve 23 for preventing the flowing out of the lubricatingoil 9 from the secondhermetic vessel 4 into the firsthermetic vessel 8. An oil level A shown by a dash line InFig. 1 is a minimum and requisite for lubricating the bearings and the sliding portions. Hereinafter this level A or height will be referred to as "minimum requisite oil level". The secondhermetic vessel 4 is connected at the position higher than the position of the minimum requisite oil level A to the maincompressor suction pipe 17 which is the suction side of themain compressor mechanism 7 by means of the secondhermetic tube 22. - The operation of the refrigerating air conditioner of this embodiment according to the present invention will now be described in conjunction with
Fig. 1 . - When the
main compressor mechanism 7 is driven by theelectric motor 6, the refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure and in the gaseous state is suctioned from the maincompressor suction pipe 17 into the firsthermetic vessel 8. The refrigerant suctioned from the firsthermetic vessel 8 to themain compressor mechanism 7 is compressed to an intermediate pressure and discharged from the maincompressor discharge pipe 18.
The refrigerant at the intermediate pressure introduced into the subcompressor suction pipe 19 from the maincompressor discharge pipe 18 is further compressed by thesub compressor mechanism 3 to high temperature and high pressure and discharged into the subcompressor discharge pipe 20. The refrigerant discharged into the subcompressor discharge pipe 20 dissipates its heat at thegas cooler 11 and flows into the gascooler flow pipe 25. The refrigerant flown out into the gascooler flow pipe 25 is branched at thebranch point 28 into one portion that flows into theexpander suction pipe 15 and the other portion that flows into thebypass pipe 26. - The refrigerant introduced into the
expander suction pipe 15 is first depressurized at thesecond expansion valve 14 so that the operation is achieved at the adequate compression ratio at theexpansion mechanism 2, and then introduced into theexpansion mechanism 2 via theexpander suction pipe 15. The refrigerant expanded at theexpansion mechanism 2 is now in the vapor-liquid two phase state at low temperature and low pressure and discharged into theexpander discharge pipe 16. On the other hand, the refrigerant that flows into thebypass pipe 26 is expanded and depressurized by thefirst expansion valve 13 in order to regulate the flow rate when the operating conditions of the refrigerating air conditioner is changed.
The refrigerant expanded and depressurize at thefirst expansion valve 13 is joined at thejunction point 29 with the refrigerant supplied from theexpander discharge pipe 16 and flows into theevaporator 12 via theevaporator flow pipe 27. The refrigerant introduced into theevaporator 12 is heated and evaporated and then flows back into the firsthermetic vessel 8 via the maincompressor suction pipe 17. - Here, the pressure at the suction side of the
main compressor mechanism 7 and the pressure at the discharge side of theexpansion mechanism 2 are referred to as a low pressure, and the pressure at the suction side of theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure at the discharge side of thesub compressor mechanism 3 are referred to as a high pressure, and the pressure at the discharge side of themain compressor mechanism 7 which is at the suction side of thesub compressor mechanism 3 is referred to as an intermediate pressure. - Then the behavior of the lubricating
oil 9 within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the firsthermetic vessel 8 during the above-discussed operation will now be described in conjunction withFig. 1 . InFig. 1 , it is assumed that the difference in height between the oil level position of the lubrication oil level in thesecond equalizing pipe 22 and the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the oil level position within the firsthermetic vessel 8 discharge is H, then the pressure difference ΔP1 produced by the level difference H is given by equation (1):oil 9 and g is the gravitational acceleration. - On the other hand, assuming that the flow speed of the vaporized refrigerant within the main
compressor suction pipe 17 at the connecting point B between thesecond equalizer pipe 22 and the maincompressor suction pipe 17 is V, then the dynamic pressure ΔP2 is given by equation (2): - The pressure Pb within the second
hermetic vessel 4 is the pressure that does not depend upon the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 or the pressure within thesub compressor mechanism 3, and since the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the maincompressor suction pipe 17 are connected to each other, the pressure Pb within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is always lower than the pressure Pa within the firsthermetic vessel 8 by ΔP2. Therefore, the dynamic pressure ΔP2 generated by the flow speed V of the vaporized refrigerant is also given by equation (3): - When the flow speed V of the gaseous refrigerant in the main
compressor suction pipe 17 is large and ΔP2 > ΔP1, the lubricatingoil 9 flows from the firsthermetic vessel 8 to the secondhermetic vessel 4 through thefirst equalizer pipe 21 against the pressure difference ΔP1 due to the height difference H between the oil level within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the firsthermetic vessel 8, whereby the oil level within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is elevated.
When the oil level within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is elevated and reaches to the height of thesecond equalizer pipe 22, the lubricating oil flows out through thesecond equalizer pipe 22 into the maincompressor suction pipe 17. The lubricatingoil 9 introduced into the maincompressor suction pipe 17 is lead into the firsthermetic vessel 8, increasing the oil amount within the firsthermetic vessel 8, whereby the oil level within the respectivehermetic vessels - Contrary to the above, when the flow speed V of the gaseous refrigerant in the main
compressor suction pipe 17 is small and ΔP2 < ΔP1, the lubricatingoil 9 tends to flow from the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 into the firsthermetic vessel 8. However, thecheck valve 23 prevents the lubricatingoil 9 from flowing into the firsthermetic vessel 8 from the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4, but the oil level within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is not lowered and is maintained. - Also, even when the second
hermetic vessel 4 is installed at a high position and the height difference H between the oil level within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the oil level within the firsthermetic vessel 8 is large, the oil levels within the respectivehermetic vessels - As has been described, the refrigerating air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises the first equalizing
pipe 21 connecting the firsthermetic vessel 8 and the secondhermetic vessel 4 at their bottom portions and thesecond equalizing pipe 22 connecting the secondhermetic vessel 4 at a position on the side above the requisite minimum oil level A to the suction side of themain compressor mechanism 7, the inside of the firsthermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure and the inside space of the secondhermetic vessel 4 being isolated from theexpansion mechanism 2 and thesub expansion mechanism 3, and the pressure in the secondhermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 or thesub compressor mechanism 3.
Therefore, the oil level in the respectivehermetic vessels main compressor mechanism 2 and thesub compressor mechanism 3, or the amount of the height difference H between the oil level in the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the firsthermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of themain compressor 5 and theexpander 1. - Next, a scroll type expander will now be described in terms of its structure and the operation as an example of the
expander 1 having theexpansion mechanism 2 and thesub compressor mechanism 3 driven by the power recovered by theexpansion mechanism 2 and compressing the refrigerant according to the first embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the structure of the scroll type expander according to theEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. - In
Fig. 2 , in the lower portion of the secondhermetic vessel 4, theexpansion mechanism 2 is disposed and in the upper portion of theexpansion mechanism 2, thesub compressor mechanism 3 is disposed. Theexpansion mechanism 2 comprises a first fixedscroll 51 having ascroll wrap 51c formed on abase plate 51a and afirst orbiting scroll 52 having ascroll wrap 52c formed on abase plate 52a, thescroll wrap 51c of the first fixedscroll 51 and thescroll wrap 52c of thefirst orbiting scroll 52 are being arranged to mesh with each other. Thesub compressor mechanism 3 comprises a second fixedscroll 61 having ascroll wrap 61c formed on abase plate 61 a and asecond orbiting scroll 62 having ascroll wrap 62c formed on abase plate 62a, thescroll wrap 61c of the second fixedscroll 61 and thescroll wrap 62c of thesecond orbiting scroll 62 are being arranged to mesh with each other. - A
shaft 78 is rotatably supported at both ends by bearingportions 51b and 61b each disposed at the center of the first fixedscroll 51 and the second fixedscroll 61. Thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and thesecond orbiting scroll 62 are respectively passed through and supported at aneccentric bearing portions shaft 78, which is the minimum oil level of the lubricatingoil 9 necessary for lubricating the bearingportion 51b and 61b as well as theeccentric bearing portions - Provided on the side wall of the second
hermetic vessel 4 and at the outer circumference of theexpansion mechanism 2 are theexpander suction pipe 15 for sucking the refrigerant and theexpander discharge pipe 16 for discharging the expanded refrigerant. On the other hand, on the upper wall of the secondhermetic vessel 4 and above thesub compressor mechanism 3, the sub compressormechanism suction pipe 19 for sucking the refrigerant is provided, and on the side wall of the secondhermetic vessel 4 and at the outer circumference of thesub compressor mechanism 3, the subcompressor discharge pipe 20 for discharging the compressed refrigerant is provided. - Also, on the bottom portion of the second
hermetic vessel 4, thefirst equalizer pipe 21 is connected for communicating the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8, and on the side wall of the secondhermetic vessel 4 and at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A, thesecond equalizer pipe 22 for the connection to maincompressor suction pipe 17. - In the
sub compressor mechanism 3, thespiral teeth scroll 61 and thesecond orbiting scroll 62 has mounted, on their respective tips, tip seals 71 for sealing asub-compression chamber 3a defined between thescroll wrap 61c of the second fixedscroll 61 and thescroll wrap 62c of thesecond orbiting scroll 62. Also, an innercircumferential seal 72a is disposed on the surface of thesecond orbiting scroll 62 facing to the second fixedscroll 61 and at the outer circumference of theeccentric bearing portion 62b to function as a seal member for sealing between thesecond orbiting scroll 62 and the fixedscroll 61.
Further, an outercircumferential seal 73a is disposed on the surface of the second fixedscroll 61 facing to thesecond orbiting scroll 61 and at the outer circumference of thescroll wrap 61 c to function as a seal member for sealing between thesecond orbiting scroll 62 and the fixedscroll 61. - On the other hand, in the
expansion mechanism 2, similarly to thesub-compressor mechanism 3, an innercircumferential seal 72b is disposed on the surface of thefirst orbiting scroll 52 facing to thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and at the outer circumference of theeccentric bearing portion 52b to function as a seal member for sealing between thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and the first fixedscroll 51. Further, an outercircumferential seal 73b is disposed on the surface of the first fixedscroll 51 facing to the first fixedscroll 51 and at the outer circumference of thescroll wrap 51 c to function as a seal member for sealing between thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and the first fixedscroll 51. Further, the outer circumference portion of thebase plate 51a of the first fixedscroll 51 and the outer circumference portion of thebase plate 52a of the first fixedscroll 52 are arranged to contact to each other. - The
first orbiting scroll 52 and thesecond orbiting scroll 62 are joined together by a connecting element such as a pin and prevented from the rotation by an Oldham'sring 77 disposed in thesub-compressor mechanism 3. Also, in order to cancel out the centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the orbiting scrolls 52, 62,balance weights shaft 78. Thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and thesecond orbiting scroll 62 may by made in one piece member with thebase plates - In the
expansion mechanism 2, the power is generated by the expansion of the high pressure refrigerant suctioned from theexpander suction pipe 15 within the expansion chamber 2a defined by thescroll wrap 51c of the first fixedscroll 51 and thescroll wrap 52c of thefirst orbiting scroll 52. The refrigerant expanded and decompressed within the expansion chamber 2a is discharged from theexpander discharge pipe 16 to the exterior of the secondhermetic vessel 4.
The power generated at theexpansion mechanism 2 compresses and pressure-raises the refrigerant introduced from thesub-compressor suction pipe 19 within thesub-compression chamber 3a of thesub-compressor mechanism 3. The refrigerant compressed and pressure-raised within thesub-compression chamber 3a is discharged from the sub-compressormachine discharge pipe 20 to the exterior of the secondhermetic vessel 4. - The
expansion mechanism 2 achieves the expansion step from the high pressure to the low pressure, and thesub-compression mechanism 3 achieves the compression step from the intermediate pressure to the high pressure. Therefore, in the orbiting scrolls 52 and 62, a high pressure acts on both of the expansion chamber 2a at the center and thesub-compression chamber 3a at the center, a low pressure acts on the expansion chamber 2a, and an intermediate pressure acts on theouter circumferential 3a. Thesub-compression chamber 3a and the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 are isolated from by an innercircumferential seal 72a and an outercircumferential seal 73a, and the expansion chamber 2a and the space defined in the secondhermetic vessel 4. -
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line C-C of the expansion mechanism of the expander, shown inFig. 2 , according to theEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. - At the inner end portion of the
scroll wrap 52c of thefirst orbiting scroll 52, athick portion 52d is provided, and thethick portion 52d has formed therein aneccentric bearing portion 52b extending therethrough for allowing acrank portion 78 to be inserted therein. Formed on thethick portion 52d of thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and in the outer circumference of theeccentric bearing portion 52b is aninner seal groove 52g, and aninner seal 72b is inserted within theinner seal groove 52g. Also, formed on thebase plate 51a of the first fixedscroll 51 and in the outer circumference of thescroll wrap 51c is an outer seal groove 51 g, and anouter seal 73b is inserted therein. - The
base plate 51 a of the first fixedscroll 51 is provided with asuction port 51d for sucking the refrigerant and adischarge port 51e for discharging the refrigerant. Thesuction port 51d has an elongated hole-shape for maintaining the opening area and is connected to theexpander suction pipe 15. Also, anotch portion 52e is provided in thethick portion 52d in order to decrease the area that closes thesuction port 51d during the orbiting motion. Thedischarge port 51e is disposed at the position in which it does not interfere with the outer end portion of thescroll wrap 52c of thefirst orbiting scroll 52 and connected to theexpander discharge pipe 16. -
Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating the sub-compressor mechanism of the expander according to theEmbodiment 1 of the present invention,Fig. 4(a) being a plan view of the second scroll andFig. 4(b) being a plan view of the second orbiting scroll. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , the scroll wraps 61 c, 62c of thesub-compressor mechanism 3 is wrapped in the same scroll direction as theexpansion mechanism 2, so that, when thesecond orbiting scroll 62 and thefirst orbiting scroll 52 are combined back to back and make an orbiting motion together, they achieve compression on one side and expansion on the other side. - At the inner end portion of the
scroll wrap 62c of thesecond orbiting scroll 62, athick portion 62d is provided and, similarly to thefirst orbiting scroll 52 of theexpansion mechanism 2, aneccentric bearing portion 62b into which a crank portion 78a is inserted is formed to extend therethrough. Also, thebase plate 61a of the second fixedscroll 61 is provided with asuction port 61d for sucking the refrigerant and adischarge port 61e for discharging the refrigerant.
Thedischarge port 61e has an elongated hole shape for maintaining the opening area and is connected to thesub-compressor suction pipe 20. Also, anotch portion 62e is provided in thethick portion 62d in order to decrease the area that closes thedischarge port 61e during the orbiting motion. Thesuction port 61d is disposed at the position in which it does not interfere with the outer end portion of thescroll wrap 62c of thesecond orbiting scroll 62 and connected to thesub-compressor suction pipe 19. - In the tip end surfaces of the scroll wraps 61c, 62c,
tip seal grooves thick portion 62d of thesecond orbiting scroll 62 and in the outer circumference of theeccentric bearing portion 62b, aninner circumference groove 62g for inserting aninner seal 72a is formed. Also, on thebase plate 61 a of the second fixedscroll 61 and in the outer circumference of thescroll wrap 61c, an outer seal groove 61 g for inserting theouter seal 73a. -
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view for explaining the contact seal function of the tip seal. - In
Fig. 5 , thetip seal 71 is pressed from the left and the above as shown by the arrows, which are high pressure side, according to the pressure difference between thesub-compressor chamber 3a at both sides of the partition. Therefore, thetip seal 71 is urged within thetip seal groove 62 for thetip seal 71 against the right hand wall and theabove base plate 61 a to provide the contact seal between thesecond orbiting scroll 62 and the fixedscroll 61. The contact seal functions of theinner seal outer seal tip seal 71. - In the expander of the scroll type as above described, the
inner seals first orbiting scroll 52 and the inner circumference portion of thesecond orbiting scroll 62, and theouter seals scroll 51 and the outer circumference portion of the second fixedscroll 61.
Therefore, the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is isolated from theexpansion mechanism 2 and thesub-compressor mechanism 3, so that the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within thesub-compressor mechanism 3, whereby the oil level can be stably regulated - In this embodiment, the
inner seals first orbiting scroll 52 and the inner circumference portion of thesecond orbiting scroll 62, but theinner seals scroll 51 and the inner circumference portion of the second fixedscroll 52. Also, in this embodiment, theouter seals scroll 51 and the outer circumference portion of the second fixedscroll 61, but theouter seals first orbiting scroll 52 and the outer circumference portion of thesecond orbiting scroll 62. - Further, in this embodiment, the scroll type expander is described as the
expander 1 used in the refrigerating air conditioner, but any type of expander such as multi-vane type or rotary type machine may equally be used as long as the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 does not depend upon the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within thesub-compressor mechanism 3. - Also, in this embodiment, the
centrifugal pump 76 is described as the pump for feeding the lubricatingoil 9 into the bearing and the sliding portion, but any type of pump such as a volume-type pump including the troquoid pump may equally be used. When a volume-type pump is used, the level of the suction port of the pump is the requisite minimum oil level. - In
Embodiment 1, the description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8. InEmbodiment 2, the description will be made as to a refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8. -
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to theEmbodiment 2 of the present invention. - The refrigerating air conditioner of
Embodiment 2 of the present invention is different from the refrigerating air conditioner of theEmbodiment 1 in that, as shown inFig. 6 , the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, and anelectromagnetic valve 24 instead of thecheck valve 23 is disposed in thefirst equalizer pipe 21. In other respects, the structure is the same as that of the refrigerating air conditioner ofEmbodiment 1. - The behavior of the lubricating
oil 9 within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the firsthermetic vessel 8 ofEmbodiment 2 will now be described in terms ofFig. 6 . InFig. 6 , since the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, the pressure difference ΔP1 generated due to the height difference H between the oil level in the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the oil level in the firsthermetic vessel 8 causes the oil level within the firsthermetic vessel 8 to be lowered.
Also, the pressure difference ΔP2 given by equation (2) generates a force that lowers the oil level within the firsthermetic vessel 8, so that the lubricatingoil 9 flows out through thesecond equalizer pipe 23 into the maincompressor suction pipe 17 irrespective of the flow speed V of the gas refrigerant in the maincompressor suction pipe 17. - The lubricating
oil 9 flows into the maincompressor suction pipe 17 is introduced into the firsthermetic vessel 8 to increase the oil amount within the firsthermetic vessel 8, so that the oil level in each of thehermetic vessels check valve 23 is not necessary in thefirst equalizer pipe 21. When the refrigeration air conditioner is not operated, it is necessary to prevent thelubricating oil 9 within the firsthermetic vessel 8 from moving into the secondhermetic vessel 4 via thefirst equalizer pipe 21 due to the level difference H. Thus, the arrangement is such that theelectromagnetic valve 24 disposed in thefirst equalizer pipe 21 is closed when the refrigerating air conditioner is not operated. Theelectromagnetic valve 24 is open when the refrigerating air conditioner is operated. - As has been described, the refrigerating air conditioner according to
Embodiment 2 of the present invention comprises thefirst equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the secondhermetic vessel 4, and thesecond equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7, the inside of the firsthermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 being isolated from thesub-compression mechanism 3, and the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 being independent from the pressure within thesub-compression mechanism 3.
Therefore, the oil level in the respectivehermetic vessels mechanism suction pipe 17, or the amount of the level difference H between the oil level in the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the oil level in the firsthermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of themain compressor 5 and theexpander 1. - In
Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, but the same applies to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8. When the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, theelectromagnetic valve 24 is not necessary. - As apparent from
Embodiment 1 andEmbodiment 2, the refrigeration air conditioner of the present invention comprises thefirst equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the secondhermetic vessel 4, and thesecond equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7, and the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is isolated from theexpansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is independent from the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within thesub-compression mechanism 3.
Therefore, the oil level in the respectivehermetic vessels hermetic vessel 8 and the secondhermetic vessel 4. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of themain compressor 5 and theexpander 1. - In the
Embodiment 1 andEmbodiment 2, the refrigerant air conditioner having thesub-compression mechanism 3 disposed on the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7 is described. InEmbodiment 3, a refrigerating air conditioner in which thesub-compression mechanism 3 is disposed on the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7. -
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to theEmbodiment 3 of the present invention. - In
Fig. 7 , thesub-compression mechanism 3 is disposed on the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7, and the discharge side of thesub-compression mechanism 3 and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7 are connected to each other via thesub-compression discharge pipe 20, the maincompressor suction pipe 17 and the firsthermetic vessel 8. Also, the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7 and the inlet side of thegas cooler 11 are connected to each other via the maincompressor discharge pipe 18.
On the other hand, the outlet side of theevaporator 12 and the suction side of thesub-compression mechanism 3 are connected via thesub-compressor suction pipe 19. As seen fromFig. 7 , the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8. In other respects, the arrangement is the same as that of the refrigerating air conditioner ofEmbodiment 2. - The operation of the refrigerating air conditioner according to
Embodiment 3 of the present invention will now be described in conjunction withFig. 7 . - When the
main compression mechanism 7 is driven by theelectric motor mechanism 6, the refrigerant in the gas state pressurized to the intermediate pressure in the sub-compression mechanism flows from the maincompressor suction pipe 17 into the firsthermetic vessel 8, and it is suctioned by themain compression mechanism 7 when the firsthermetic vessel 8 reaches to the intermediate pressure atmosphere. The refrigerant in the gas state that is further compressed in themain compression mechanism 7 into the high temperature, high pressure refrigerant, is discharged into the maincompressor discharge pipe 18.
The refrigerant in the gas state discharged into the maincompression discharge pipe 18 flows out to the gascooler flow pipe 25 after it dissipates heat in thegas cooler 11. One portion of the refrigerant flowed into the gascooler flow pipe 25 is lead to theexpander suction pipe 15 at thejunction 28, the remaining portion being lead to thebypass pipe 26. - The refrigerant lead into the
expander suction pipe 15 is decompressed by thesecond expansion valve 14 so that it is worked in theexpansion mechanism 2 at a proper compression ratio and then lead from theexpander suction pipe 15 into theexpansion mechanism 2, where it is expanded. The refrigerant expanded in theexpansion mechanism 2 becomes into the low temperature and low pressure liquid-gas phase state and discharged into theexpander discharge pipe 16.
On the other hand, the refrigerant lead into thebypass pipe 26 is expanded and decompressed by thefirst expansion valve 13 so the flow rate may be regulated when the operating conditions of the refrigerating air conditioner are changed. The refrigerant expanded and decompressed at thefirst expansion valve 13 joins with the refrigerant discharged into theexpander discharge pipe 16 at thejunction point 29 and introduced into theevaporator 12 via theevaporator inlet pipe 27.
The refrigerant introduced into theevaporator 12 is suctioned into thesub-compression mechanism 3 via thesub-compressor suction pipe 19 after it is heated and evaporated. The refrigerant suctioned into thesub-compression mechanism 3 is compressed to the intermediate pressure and discharged into thesub-compressor discharge pipe 20. The refrigerant discharged into thesub-compressor discharge pipe 20 flows through the maincompressor suction pipe 17, flows into the firsthermetic vessel 8 and again suctioned into themain compression mechanism 7. - Here, the pressure on the suction side of the
sub-compression mechanism 3 and the pressure on the discharge side of theexpansion mechanism 2 are referred to as low pressures, the pressure on the suction side of theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure on the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7 are referred to as high pressures, and the pressure on the discharge side of thesub-compression mechanism 3 which is the pressure on the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7 are referred to as intermediate pressures. - Next, the behavior of the lubricating
oil 9 within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and within the firsthermetic vessel 8 during the above operation will now be described in conjunction withFig. 7 . InFig. 7 , the pressure Pa in the firsthermetic vessel 8 is an intermediate pressure and, since the pressure Pb in the secondhermetic vessel 4 is independent of the pressure in theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure in thesub-compression mechanism 3, the pressure difference ΔP22 is given by the equation (2) in the similar manner as toembodiments - Therefore, as in the refrigerating air conditioner according to
Embodiment 2, the lubricatingoil 9 flows through thesecond equalizer pipe 22 to flows out from the secondhermetic vessel 4 into the maincompressor suction pipe 17. The lubricatingoil 9 flows into the maincompressor suction pipe 17 is lead into the firsthermetic vessel 8 to increase the oil amount within the firsthermetic vessel 8, whereby the oil levels in the respective hermetic vessels are regulated. - As has been described, the refrigerating air conditioner according to
Embodiment 3 of the present invention comprises thefirst equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the secondhermetic vessel 4, and thesecond equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7, the inside of the firsthermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 being isolated from thesub-compression mechanism 3, and the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 being independent from the pressure within thesub-compression mechanism 3.
Therefore, the oil level in the respectivehermetic vessels mechanism suction pipe 17, or the amount of the level difference H between the oil level in the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the oil level in the firsthermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of themain compressor 5 and theexpander 1. - The description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the second
hermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, but even when the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, the behavior of the lubricating oil is the same and similar advantageous results can be obtained. When the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, the lubricatingoil 9 operates in a manner similar to that ofEmbodiment 1 and similar advantageous results discussed in conjunction with the refrigerating air conditioner according toEmbodiment 1 can be obtained. - Accordingly, as apparent from
Embodiment 1 toEmbodiment 3, the refrigeration air conditioner of the present invention comprises thefirst equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the secondhermetic vessel 4, and thesecond equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7, the inside of the firsthermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is isolated from theexpansion mechanism 2 and the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is independent from the pressure within theexpansion mechanism 2 and the pressure within thesub-compression mechanism 3.
Therefore, the oil level in the respectivehermetic vessels hermetic vessel 8 and the secondhermetic vessel 4. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of themain compressor 5 and theexpander 1. - In the
Embodiment 1 toEmbodiment 3, the refrigerant air conditioner having theexpansion mechanism 2 and thesub-compression mechanism 3 disposed withinhermetic vessel 4. InEmbodiment 4, a refrigerating air conditioner in which thesub-compression mechanism 3 driven by theelectric motor mechanism 6 is disposed within the secondhermetic vessel 4. -
Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of the refrigerating air conditioner according to theEmbodiment 4 of the present invention. - In
Fig. 8 , a sub-compressor 81 comprises thesub-compression mechanism 3 driven by anelectric motor mechanism 82 to compress the refrigerant, and theelectric motor mechanism 82 and thesub-compression mechanism 3 are housed as one unit within the secondhermetic vessel 4 in which thelubricating oil 9 is maintained at the bottom portion thereof. Themain compressor 5 comprises themain compression mechanism 7 driven by theelectric motor mechanism 6 to compress the refrigerant, and theelectric motor mechanism 6 and themain compression mechanism 7 are housed as one unit within the firsthermetic vessel 8 in which thelubricating oil 9 is maintained at the bottom portion thereof. As shown inFig. 8 , the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8. - The
sub compression mechanism 3 is disposed on the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7, and the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7 and the suction side of thesub-compression mechanism 3 are connected to each other via the maincompressor discharge pipe 18 and thesub-compressor suction pipe 19. Also, the discharge side of thesub-compressor 3 and the inlet side of thegas cooler 11 for cooling the refrigerant are connected to each other via thesub-compressor discharge pipe 20.
Further, the outlet side of thegas cooler 11 and the inlet side of theevaporator 12 are connected to each other via the gascooler flow pipe 25. Thefirst expansion valve 13 for expanding the refrigerant is disposed in the gascooler flow pipe 25. The outlet side of theevaporator 12 and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7 are connected to each other via the maincompressor suction pipe 17 and the firsthermetic vessel 8. - Here, since the space within the second
hermetic vessel 4 is isolated from thesub-compression mechanism 3, the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is not dependent upon the pressure within thesub-compression mechanism 3. Also, the pressure within the firsthermetic vessel 8 is the suction pressure because the maincompressor suction pipe 17 is connected to the firsthermetic vessel 8. - The bottom portion of the second
hermetic vessel 4 and the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 are connected to each other via thefirst equalizer pipe 21, and thefirst equalizer pipe 21 is provided therein with thecheck valve 23 for preventing the flow of the lubricatingoil 9 from the secondhermetic vessel 4 to the firsthermetic vessel 8. Also, the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the maincompressor suction pipe 17 which is the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7 are connected to each other via thesecond equalizer pipe 22. - The operation of the refrigerating air conditioner according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention will now be described in conjunction withFig. 8 . - When the
main compressor mechanism 7 is driven by theelectric motor mechanism 6, the refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure and in the gaseous state is suctioned from the maincompressor suction pipe 17 into the firsthermetic vessel 8. The refrigerant suctioned from the firsthermetic vessel 8 to themain compressor mechanism 7 is compressed to an intermediate pressure and discharged through the maincompressor discharge pipe 18. The refrigerant at the intermediate pressure introduced into the subcompressor suction pipe 19 from the maincompressor discharge pipe 18 is further compressed by thesub compressor mechanism 3 to be high temperature and high pressure and discharged into the subcompressor discharge pipe 20.
The refrigerant discharged into the subcompressor discharge pipe 20 dissipates its heat at thegas cooler 11 and flows into the gascooler flow pipe 25. The refrigerant flown out into the gascooler flow pipe 25 is expanded at thefirst expansion valve 13 to become into the vapor-liquid two phase state at low temperature and low pressure state and flows into theevaporator 12. The refrigerant introduced into theevaporator 12 is heated and evaporated and then flows back into the firsthermetic vessel 8 via the maincompressor suction pipe 17. - Here, the pressure at the suction side of the
main compressor mechanism 7 is referred to as a low pressure, the pressure at the discharge side of thesub compression mechanism 3 is referred to as a high pressure, and the pressure at the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7 which is at the suction side of thesub compression mechanism 3 is referred to as an intermediate pressure. - The behavior of the lubricating
oil 9 within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the firsthermetic vessel 8 in the above-described operation is similar to that described in relation to the refrigerating air conditioner ofEmbodiment 1 and the oil level in each of thehermetic vessels - As has been described, the refrigeration air conditioner according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention comprises thefirst equalizer pipe 21 connecting the bottom portion of the firsthermetic vessel 8 and the bottom portion of the secondhermetic vessel 4, and thesecond equalizer pipe 22 connecting the side of the secondhermetic vessel 4 at the position higher than the requisite minimum oil level A and the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7, the inside of the firsthermetic vessel 8 being filled with an atmosphere at the suction pressure, the space within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is isolated from the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the secondhermetic vessel 4 is not dependent upon the pressure within thesub-compression mechanism 3.
Therefore, the oil level in the respectivehermetic vessels compressor suction pipe 17, the level difference H between the oil level within the secondhermetic vessel 4 and the oil level within the firsthermetic vessel 8. Therefore, the decrease of the reliability due to the sticking or abnormal wear of the sliding parts of themain compressor 5 and theexpander 1. - In
Embodiment 4, the description has been made as to the refrigerating air conditioner in which the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is higher than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, but even when the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, or even when the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, advantageous results similar to those discussed above can be obtained.
When the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, or the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is the same as the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, thecheck valve 23 is not necessary.
When the installation level of the secondhermetic vessel 4 is lower than the installation level of the firsthermetic vessel 8, theelectromagnetic valve 24, which closes when the refrigerating air conditioner is not operated, may be provided in thefirst equalizer pipe 21, as in the case ofEmbodiment 2. When the refrigerating air conditioner is not operated, theelectromagnetic valve 24 prevents the lubricatingoil 9 from moving from the firsthermetic vessel 8 to the secondhermetic vessel 4 through thefirst equalizer pipe 21. - While
Embodiment 4 is described in terms of thesub-compression mechanism 3 disposed on the discharge side of themain compression mechanism 7, thesub-compression mechanism 3 may be disposed on the suction side of themain compression mechanism 7 and advantageous results as above discussed can be obtained.
Also, themain compression mechanism 7 and thesub-compression mechanism 3 are directly connected in series inEmbodiment 4, but similar advantageous results can also be obtained when themain compression mechanism 7 and thesub-compression mechanism 3 are connected in parallel.
Claims (5)
- A refrigeration air conditioner comprising:- a main compression mechanism (7) for compressing a refrigerant;- a gas cooler (11) for cooling the compressed refrigerant;- an expansion mechanism (2) for expanding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas cooler (11) to recover power;- a sub-compression mechanism (3) disposed on discharge side or suction side of the main compression mechanism (7) for compressing the refrigerant by the power recovered by the expansion mechanism (2);- an evaporator (12) for evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion mechanism (2);- a first hermetic vessel (8) having contained therein the main compression mechanism (7) and a lubricant oil and having an atmosphere at a suction pressure;- a second hermetic vessel (4) having contained therein the expansion mechanism (2), the sub-compression mechanism (3) and the lubricant oil;- a first equalizer pipe (21) connecting a bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel (8) and a bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel (4);- a second equalizer pipe (22) connecting a side of the second hermetic vessel (4) at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level and a suction side of the main compression mechanism (7);- wherein a space within the second hermetic vessel (4) is isolated from the expansion mechanism (2) and the sub-compression mechanism (3); and- wherein a pressure within the second hermetic vessel (4) is independent from the pressure within the expansion mechanism (2) and the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism (3).
- A refrigeration air conditioner comprising:- a main compression mechanism (7) for compressing a refrigerant;- a sub-compression mechanism (3) disposed on discharge side or suction side of the main compression mechanism (7) for compressing a refrigerant;- a gas cooler (11) for cooling the compressed refrigerant;- an expansion valve (13) for expanding the refrigerant flowing out from the gas cooler (11);- an evaporator (12) for evaporating the refrigerant expanded at the expansion valve (13);- a first hermetic vessel (8) having contained therein the main compression mechanism (7) and a lubricant oil and having an atmosphere at a suction pressure;- a second hermetic vessel (4) having contained therein the sub-compression mechanism (3) and the lubricant oil;- a first equalizer pipe (21) connecting a bottom portion of the first hermetic vessel (8) and a bottom portion of the second hermetic vessel (4);- a second equalizer pipe (22) connecting a side of the second hermetic vessel (4) at a position higher than the requisite minimum oil level and a suction side of the main compression mechanism (7);- wherein a space within the second hermetic vessel (4) is isolated from the sub-compression mechanism (3); and- wherein a pressure within the second hermetic vessel (4) is independent from the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism (3).
- The refrigeration air conditioner as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
wherein the second hermetic vessel (4) is positioned at a position higher than the first hermetic vessel (8), and the first equalizer pipe (21) is provided with a check valve (23). - The refrigeration air conditioner as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
wherein the second hermetic vessel (4) is positioned at a position lower than the first hermetic vessel (8), and the first equalizer pipe (21) is provided with an electromagnetic valve (24). - The refrigeration air conditioner as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the expansion mechanism (2) comprises a first orbiting scroll (52) and a first fixed scroll (51);
wherein the sub-compression mechanism (3) comprises a second orbiting scroll (62) and a second fixed scroll (61); and
wherein the refrigeration air conditioner further comprises seal members (72a, 72b, 73a, 73b) disposed at an inner circumference portion and an outer circumference portion of one of the first orbiting scroll (52) or the first fixed scroll (51) and at an inner circumference portion and an outer circumference portion of one of the second orbiting scroll (62) or the second fixed scroll (61).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2005245892 | 2005-08-26 | ||
PCT/JP2006/310326 WO2007023599A1 (en) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-05-24 | Refrigerating air conditioner |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1939547A1 EP1939547A1 (en) | 2008-07-02 |
EP1939547A4 EP1939547A4 (en) | 2012-07-04 |
EP1939547B1 true EP1939547B1 (en) | 2013-05-01 |
Family
ID=37771352
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06756532.5A Active EP1939547B1 (en) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-05-24 | Refrigerating air conditioner |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US8109116B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1939547B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4516127B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN100570238C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2423902T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007023599A1 (en) |
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JP5341075B2 (en) * | 2008-05-23 | 2013-11-13 | パナソニック株式会社 | Fluid machinery and refrigeration cycle equipment |
WO2010073586A1 (en) * | 2008-12-22 | 2010-07-01 | パナソニック株式会社 | Refrigeration cycle device |
JPWO2010122812A1 (en) * | 2009-04-24 | 2012-10-25 | パナソニック株式会社 | Refrigeration cycle equipment |
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- 2006-05-24 JP JP2007532021A patent/JP4516127B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-05-24 US US11/912,903 patent/US8109116B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-05-24 EP EP06756532.5A patent/EP1939547B1/en active Active
- 2006-05-24 CN CNB2006800180474A patent/CN100570238C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-05-24 ES ES06756532T patent/ES2423902T3/en active Active
Also Published As
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CN101180505A (en) | 2008-05-14 |
US20090064709A1 (en) | 2009-03-12 |
JPWO2007023599A1 (en) | 2009-02-26 |
EP1939547A1 (en) | 2008-07-02 |
WO2007023599A1 (en) | 2007-03-01 |
JP4516127B2 (en) | 2010-08-04 |
US8109116B2 (en) | 2012-02-07 |
CN100570238C (en) | 2009-12-16 |
ES2423902T3 (en) | 2013-09-25 |
EP1939547A4 (en) | 2012-07-04 |
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